Here is a short post to share my excitement with you.Blast Off, Issue 7, by the lovely people at The School Magazine, will be going out to readers in July. My short story,My Sister Ate My Science Project, can be found on page seven.In itself that is pretty exciting already, after all, this will be my first ever story to be purchased and published. But then, I almost fell off my rather large and comfortable chair, when I discovered my story is illustrated on the cover by the talented Vivienne To. It feels so satisfying to know that actual children will be reading something I wrote soon and just as exhilarating to see the story depicted visually. And now I know, ahhh, this is why I keep going at it in this crazy writing life.About the issue:Blast Off: Science simmers in this issue! There‘s a story about a science project that is eaten by … a little girl; an article about the science behind bubbles; an activity that will leave you blocking your ears; and an article about vehicles that drive themselves! The Book slice this month is a visual feast; it's all about life on earth. And of course, there's a play to perform.

Close up - by Vivienne To.

More information about The School Magazine (from the 'About' page) What is The School Magazine? It is Australia's most loved and longest-running literary magazine for children. For generations, it has been introducing young readers to a world of words.The School Magazine has been published by the NSW Department of Education since 1916 and is currently part of the NSW Curriculum and Learning Innovation Centre within the Department of Education and Communities. The secret of its enduring success is its quality and its ability to engage young readers. A small in-house team compiles 40 magazines each and every year, drawing on the skills of the finest writers and illustrators in Australia and world-wide.

I have just returned from the inspiring StoryArts festival writer's conference (of which I'll post more later). My mind is still spinning with the things I have learned and the people I met.When I came home I was thrilled to see that my children's short story 'How to Juggle Planets' has been featured on the Kids' Book Review website.

KBR is a voluntary children’s literature and book review site that supports and features authors, illustrators and publishers Australia-wide and internationally. They cover news, reviews, interviews, articles, guest posts, events, specialist literacy articles and much more, attracting readers from all over the world including teachers, librarians, industry professionals, and of course - parents and kids. They achieve a massive 70,000 hits a month and are one of the most respected literary sites on the web. (from the website)

Their brand new Literary Hub is full of great resources and still developing. You can also sign up for their newsletterYou can find out more about KBR here.

I have sold my first story!

A few weeks ago I was in a bit of writing slump, feeling sorry for myself and doubting my ability to write. So when I received an acceptance from The School Magazine for a short story that I submitted over 6 months ago I nearly burst into tears, relieved that someone had actually read my stories and wanted to publish it in a magazine, and not just any magazine! It was the first short story I wrote as part of my course and the only short story I ever submitted. You can read more about it here. By now I have heard and read so much about how hard it is to make money from your writing that I wasn't expecting to make any money from my writing, ever. That writer's conference I mentioned earlier also had a pretty cool little mobile bookshop. Guess where I spent my first writing paycheck.

Here are some of the books I bought with my first writing cheque.

About the School Magazine (from their website):

The School Magazine has been published by the NSW Department of Education since 1916 and is currently part of the NSW Curriculum and Learning Innovation Centre within the Department of Education and Communities. The secret of its enduring success is its quality and its ability to engage young readers. A small in-house team compiles 40 magazines each and every year, drawing on the skills of the finest writers and illustrators in Australia and world-wide.